Chris Ash was the Wisconsin defensive coordinator who got the better of Ohio State that day. Now, after coaching for four years under Bret Bielema at Wisconsin and Arkansas, he will become a Buckeye.

Although Ohio State wouldn’t confirm the hirings yesterday, which were first reported by SI.com, both Ash and Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson will join Meyer’s staff as the Buckeyes attempt to improve their beleaguered defense.

Ash replaces co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Everett Withers, who became the head coach at James Madison in December. Johnson takes over for Mike Vrabel, who was hired by the Houston Texans last week.

Ash’s primary responsibility will be to help shore up Ohio State’s leaky pass defense. His resume suggests that he can. In 2011, Ash’s first season as defensive coordinator, Wisconsin ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense and 15th in total defense. Its pass defense was fourth, yielding only 163.6 yards a game.

“I wouldn’t say they were taking it to us physically,” center Corey Linsley said about that game. “But they were taking it to us fundamentally and outexecuting us and outscheming us.”

Herman said that Ash used a simple but effective approach.

“He called one front and one coverage,” Herman said. “Within that front and coverage, he could adjust to any formation or motion we gave him. … Chris had his guys more prepared than I did.”

This will be the second time Herman and Ash have been on the same staff. Both were at Iowa State in 2009. Ash is an Iowa native.

BTN analyst and former coach Gerry DiNardo remembers being so impressed watching Ash at practice as defensive backs coach in his first season with the Badgers that he made a point to tell Bielema and athletic director Barry Alvarez afterward. DiNardo was particularly enamored with Ash’s ability to give players immediate and insightful feedback.

“The best coaches tell you what you do right and what you do wrong immediately after a rep,” DiNardo said. “I see him as a real expert on the back end — the secondary and linebackers and coverages. And I also see him as a guy who brings great energy to practice and the games. I personally think those are the things the Ohio State defense needs — expertise on the back end and energy.”

Ohio State ranked 110th in passing yards allowed and 83rd in passing efficiency defense in 2013.

The Buckeyes’ defensive line was a strength last year, but Vrabel’s unexpected departure was a blow. Johnson’s hiring is considered a major coup. Highly respected for his coaching and recruiting ability, Johnson was the last remaining coach from Joe Paterno’s veteran staff. He had coached for the Nittany Lions since 1996.

Johnson was appointed interim head coach after Bill O’Brien left for the Texans job — and took Vrabel with him — but was disappointed after being bypassed when Vanderbilt’s James Franklin was hired for the job full time.

He also is familiar with at least a couple of current Buckeyes. While at Penn State, Johnson recruited Noah Spence and Tommy Schutt, both of whom would have played for the Nittany Lions if not for the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

In 2006, Rivals.com named Johnson the national college football recruiter of the year.